Alexxus Entertainment

09/17/2024

These just in:
This here is truly why I've given 30+ years to the Wedding/DJ business. Making a difference ... helping create happiness and joy.
It's been a blast!

09/16/2024

09/14/2024

09/01/2024

Welcome Autumn!

06/16/2024

Abbie and Eric got married! Thanks for having me be a part of it!

06/16/2024

The first hour & the last hour of Brianne and Evan’s wedding celebration.
Thanks for having me!

06/03/2024

Congrats to the NEW Mr. & Mrs. Derby - Rachel and Blake.
Thanks for having me.

05/18/2024

These moments 🙂

04/03/2024

You’re so facts-core. Youvre trivia-maxxing. You’re absolutely tidbit-pilled, my guy

03/09/2024

Classy & Chic Boutique-Ice Cream Factory

Join us tomorrow Saturday March 9 from 11-1 for a taste testing of the new ice cream from the Ice Cream Factory. We have 14 different flavors to sample, and they are oh so good!!! A big shout out to Mercedes (Captured on Canvas) for the awesome ice cream mural she painted on the wall at the store. Hope to see everyone tomorrow.

03/06/2024

I'll stop now, promise.

02/06/2024

I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun on a Sunday night.

01/13/2024

01/03/2024

- - Hall of shame? - -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD?
The New Year is upon us, and with it, a new string of conventions and seminars for the Mobile DJ. First up is the Mobile Entertainment Experience (MEX) next month in Las Vegas. An exemplary lineup of top-notch presenters and industry-related products will highlight the show.
Among the festivities and activities of the event will be the induction of another dozen members to the MEX Hall of Fame. This, though, is where I have a bit of a qualm with the show.
After receiving my email inviting me to cast my ballot for those I felt most worthy of the honor, I surveyed the exasperating list of over four dozen nominees. There were many iconic names on that list, and many more I never heard of. And I'll admit a few that made me roll my eyes. I cast my ballot for nine; Peter Merry, Mark Ferrell, Ron Ruth, Scott Faver, Mitch Taylor, and Jim Cerone were among them. I did so somewhat reluctantly, though. Not because I had any doubts about their worthiness but because I felt they were more deserving of a higher honor than what essentially is a People's Choice Award.
I have to ask, how many of those who have been in our business for just a scant number of years and are casting votes realize what Peter Merry did for the industry? In the early years of this millennium, he took the reins of the American Disc Jockey Association and traveled from coast to coast, organizing chapters and delivering educational content that improved the industry ten-fold, all while putting his own DJ business on the sideline. Not to mention writing a book (“The Best Wedding Reception Ever”) that I would guess has been the most successful seller compared to any other DJ related manuscript.
Do they realize that Scott Faver became known as the Game Master for putting together unique games to add to your events? But in truth, Scott is just as much an expert (maybe even more so) at building a networking web, and he willingly shares the secrets of his success.
Mitch Taylor has been the President of Midwest DJs Live, a board member for DJ Think Tank, and has published “Sales For Event Pros,” which on the subject of sales is second to none in our industry. Those are just a few of his contributions and accomplishments.
Do the newbies know that Ron Ruth has studied Disney's business model as closely as a meteorologist studies tornados, then shared tose principles brought with the DJ community, and taught us how we could use those to enhance our own business? He also has put together a video series on customer service tips – “How To Create WOW” – that transcends the DJ industry.
Jim Cerone has used his years of experience as a music programmer in radio to give us the inside scoop on what the next big floor filler might be. More importantly than that, though, he has given us exclusive insight into what it takes to be a great emcee.
All of the above have, over several years and miles, spoken at numerous conventions and seminars – many times on their own dime - just for the betterment of the industry.
Then there is Mark Ferrell. How many of today's Mobile DJs realize that the money they are making today is a direct result of Mark Ferrell's “Get What Your Worth” movement in the early 2000s?
These people – along with some of the others I cast votes for – should not be schlepping for votes in order to be a member of any Mobile DJ Hall of Fame. They should be honored for their achievements. And any Disc Jockey Hall of Fame that does not automatically include Mark has no credibility at all.
COMPARATIVELY
I'm not the only one that feels this way. In fact, one of the nominees, who I promised to remain anonymous, is hesitant to even accept such an award, telling me, “A Hall of Fame without a list of prerequisites to qualify for induction (i.e., minimum number of years in the industry, minimum level of accomplishments or contributions to the industry, etc.) is an “honor” that carries no real value or feeling of achievement [that] lifts up examples for the rest of us to strive for in hopes of earning that honor someday for ourselves.” Then added, in reference to last year's awards, “And then to not even bother putting the inductees names on their plaques…just shows a total lack of respect to boot.”
Another nominee echoed somewhat the same sentiment. Although honored to be nominated, he wrote in a post: “I think that some kind of vetting process could have been used, a way to narrow it down and a little description of why someone is on the list.”
Mobile Beat Magazine began the honor of inducting Hall of Fame Members in 2006. That year, only two members were inducted. Over the course of ten years, a total of only ten were given the dubious distinction. The criteria, Mobile Beat explained, were:
”The Hall honors individuals who have made a significant impact nationally or internationally on the Mobile Entertainment Industry. They have often risked their personal or business finances to attain results that proved beneficial to the entire industry, spurring growth and enhanced perceptions. These individuals have proven themselves as leaders in their fields through their actions and standards. The MB Hall of Fame is based more on industry achievement vs. individual performance, although most inductees have been or continue to be performers at some level. It does not merely honor the superior achievement embodied in a single work. Instead, it is an acknowledgment of superior achievement in an entire career.”
The MEX benchmark simply means to have been a contributor to the industry for ten years and receive at least three nominations. In 2023 – their first year of dolling out the awards – fifteen people were privileged. Another dozen are expected to join them this year, which makes it nearly three times as many inductees in two years as Mobile Beats in ten. Sort of makes it feel like just one step up from a participation trophy, doesn't it?
Is this a Hall of Fame or a Hall of Shame?
The way I see it, having a Hall of Fame for our industry is noble and well deserved, but it has to have more of a criteria, and it has to be but for a select few, making the honor much more prestigious.
Until next week,
Michael
Michael J. Lenstra is a self-described Wedding DJ and is celebrating 30 years in the mobile DJ industry. He is the owner of Alexxus Entertainment in Dubuque, Iowa; has been named the best in his field locally for nine straight years; and has been recognized by Wedding Wire as a Couples Choice Award winner nearly a dozen times.
Many of his past articles can be found at

12/28/2023

2023
https://www.facebook.com/1375872109/videos/183952974808555/

11/19/2023

Congrats Quenton and Annalise.

10/30/2023

Congratulations Alec and Meghan. It was an honor to be a part of your wedding day.

10/27/2023

I can't speak for the baker but I can tell you that we put a whole lot more time and planning into a wedding than we do for "just a normal run of the mill normal party."